The
Queen never wears Opals ; though she owns a casket of very beautiful
specimens. The traditional characteristic attributes of the Amethyst
are pronounced to be a power of preserving from strong passions; and of
securing mental tranquillity. One of Queen Alexandra's favourite
trinkets is a peculiar pendant, made of a large gold nugget, upon the
top of which is a little hunchback, in green Enamel. By touching a
secret spring the nugget flies open, and reveals a small Jade heart,
made from New Zealand Greenstone, (sometimes called the Paunamu Stone).
This Jewel was given by the late Duke of Clarence to his mother ; who
frequently wears it, and calls it her forte bonheur.
Certain
other persons who are more or less well known in Society, and the
birthdays of whom occur in December, swear by the Turquoise (the
particular endowments conferred by which are " brilliant good fortune,
with success, and happiness in every circumstance of life"). For
example, Lady Wicklow, Lady Margaret Sackville, and Miss Helen
Henniker, are observed to always wear some Turquoise ornaments.
Again,
the Opal, often deemed unlucky, but credited, nevertheless, with the
virtue of inspiring hope, though linked with misfortune, is said to
bring special good fortune to those of its wearers who were born in the
month of October. Among notabilities who lay claim to this distinction
are the Queen Victoria Eugenie, of Spain; the Lady Deerhurst, and Lady
Arabella Romilly. Likewise Madame Sara Bernhardt wears Opals, because
she was born in October ; though her favourite "Mascots" are a girdle
of Cameos, and a necklace of nuggets, which was given to her by miners
in California. New Zealand Jade is much
